2003 BMW 3 Series
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 489 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 5th highest complaint count among 21 3 Series model years with reports.
Of the 2003 reports, 17 involved a crash and 21 involved a fire. 26 people were injured and 2 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
No safety recalls on file.
Representative owner complaints
489 reports, newest first.
Vehicle speed control, May 1, 2008, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS DECELERATING TO STOP, IT SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE CONTACT TO STRIKE THE FRONT END OF ANOTHER VEHICLE IN A PARKING LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SERVICE SHOP AND HAS NOT YET BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000. UPDATED 07/07/08. *LJ UPDATED *JB
Exterior lighting, Apr 17, 2008
THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY KEEPS FAILING. AND I LOOSE THE TAIL LIGHTS. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS IN 2005 ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE AND NOW IT HAPPENED ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE. *TR
Power train, Apr 10, 2008
I HAVE A FORMERLY PRISTINE BMW 325I 2003 WITH 70KMI THAT HAD A SUDDEN, CATASTROPHIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE FOR UNIDENTIFIABLE REASONS WHILE BEING DRIVEN NEAR SACRAMENTO. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A BMW DEALER IN SACRAMENTO WHO CLAIMED THEY HAD "NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT", YET CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM HAS OVER 20 PAGES OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SPECIFIC PROBLEM. UNFORTUNATELY, THOUGH WE WERE ABLE TO LOCATE A USED TRANSMISSION, THE DEALER REFUSED TO INSTALL ANYTHING OTHER THAN A BRAND NEW UNIT AT THE COST OF $6,000. CLEARLY THERE IS SOMETHING DEFECTIVE IN THESE TRANSMISSIONS. IT APPEARS THAT BMW OF NORTH AMERICAN HAS REFUSED TO ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY. *TR
Electrical system, Equipment, Jan 21, 2008, crash
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2003 BMW 325I IN DECEMBER 2007. TODAY (JANUARY 21, 2008), MY WIFE DROVE THE CAR TO WORK AND PARKED SAID VEHICLE IN HER REQUIRED PARKING SPACE. THAN ABOUT TWO HOURS LATER A LOCAL POLICE OFFICER CAME IN AND INFORMED HER THAT THE BMW STARTED BY ITSELF AND CRASHED INTO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS IN FIRST GEAR AND SOME HOW STARTED WITH NO ONE IN THE CAR. THIS VEHICLE CAME WITH A REMOTE START FEATURE WHICH IS LOCATED ON THE KEY. THE KEYS WERE ON THE DESK AND MY WIFE WAS NOT IN THE SAME BUILDING THERE THE KEYS WERE. MY WIFE WAS ACTUALLY IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WORKING ON THEIR COMPUTER. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE FRONT HOOD. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Jan 15, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE TO AN UNKNOWN SPEED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS WARM. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WIRES FOR THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MALFUNCTIONED AND THE PEDAL AND ASSOCIATED COMPONENTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,500 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,000. UPDATED 03-04-08 *BF UPDATED 03/04/08 *TR
Power train, Jan 15, 2008
DELAY IN TRANSMISSION ENGAGEMENT (20-30 SECONDS) WHEN COLD. HAZARD ON HILL AND ENTERING TRAFFIC. *TR
Wheels, Dec 17, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 330I. AFTER THE CPNTACT HAD THE RIMS CHROMED THEY WOULD CONTINUOUSLY AND SLOWLY DEFLATE. THE TIRES HAD TO BE INSPECTED AND REINFLATED AFTER EVERY TRIP. THE FAILURE DID NOT OCCUR UNTIL AFTER THE RIMS WERE CHROMED. THE RIMS WOULD NOT HOLD AIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 03-04-08 *BF
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 13, 2007
DOUBLE VANOS SYSTEM ON SEVERAL MODELS OF BMW FROM 1999 TO 2006, HAVE DEFECTIVE VANOS SYSTEMS. THE E39 DOUBLE VANOS (VARIABLE VALVE TIMING UNIT) HAS A MALFUNCTION PROBLEM. THIS DOUBLE VANOS CAN BE FOUND ON 6-CYL ENGINES M52TU, M54, AND M56, FOUND IN SEVERAL MODEL CARS, E39, E46, ETC, YEARS 99-03. THE MALFUNCTION SYMPTOMS ARE ALMOST ALL SUBTLE AND MOSTLY GO UNNOTICED. THEY INCLUDE LOWER GAS MILEAGE, LOWER PERFORMANCE, DEGRADED EMISSIONS CONTROL, AND POSSIBLY OTHERS. THE M52TU ENGINE (99-00) HAS ONE FURTHER MALFUNCTION SYMPTOM WHICH IS FAR FROM SUBTLE. IT OCCURS ON COLD WEATHER COLD ENGINE STARTS AND TAKES THE FORM OF REPEATED ENGINE ATTEMPTED STALLS AND POSSIBLY A COMPLETE ENGINE STALL. THE ENGINE RPMS DROP DRAMATICALLY AND THEN RECOVER. THIS THEN REPEATS AFTER A FEW SECONDS OF STEADY IDLE. THE PROBLEM CAN BE MORE DEFINITIVELY DIAGNOSED BY DISCONNECTING THE VANOS INTAKE OR EXHAUST SOLENOID ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR. *TR
Seats, Oct 22, 2007, fire
2003 BMW 525I WITH 56K MILES. DRIVER SEAT HEATER WAS TURNED ON WHILE THE ENGINE WAS WARMING UP AND FEW SECONDS LATER, ONE SPOT ON THE SEAT STARTED SMOKING AND BURNING A WHOLE. THE ENGINE AND HEATER WAS TURNED OFF IMMEDIATELY WHICH PREVENTED THE FIRE FROM SPREADING. NOTIFIED BMW NORTH AMERICA AND DEALER AGREED WITH FULL SEAT REPLACEMENT. *TR
Suspension, Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Structure, Equipment, Sep 11, 2007
FOUR TIMES SINCE I BUY A 2003 BMW 325I , I HAVE TO GET THE AUTO TO GUARANTEE SERVICE FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE STRUCT FRONT BUSHING, NOW , AFTER REPLACE THEM AT 32,000 MILES ABOUT FOUR MONTH AGO, MY CAR AT 37,000 MILES REQUEST A NEW BUSHINGS. THEY SAID ME THAT BMW WAS NO LONGER REPLACE THEM BY GUARANTEE BECAUSE OF THE ROAD CONDITIONS IN PUERTO RICO. WHEN I BUY THE CAR I PAID FOR A GUARANTEE AND I THINK THAT IS IMPOSSIBLE THAT A CAR LIKE THIS , THE ULTIMATE DRIVE MACHINE REQUIRE EVERY FOUR MONTH TO REPLACE THAT PARTS. THEY SHOULD INSTALL A GOOD REINFORCED GENUINE PARTS AND NOT A REMANUFACTURED. I ALWAYS TRY TO AVOID THE HOLES, BUT I ASK WHEN IT'S RAINING IT START A RED LIGHT THAT INDICATED " PLEASE AVOID THIS HOLE" . *TR THE DEALER STATED REPLACED LENS AND COVER DISC FOR BOTH HEADLIGHTS, NOISES COMING FROM BOTH REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS, REPLACING ALTERNATOR DRIVE BELT TENSIONER, TENSIONER AND PULLEYS, AND REMOVING AND INSTALLING LEFT OR RIGHT RUBBER STRIP. UPDATED 10/24/07 *TR
Visibility, Aug 22, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND IT WAS REPAIRED. HOWEVER, THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW IS NOW MAKING THE SAME NOISE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 47,800 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.
Wheels, Aug 20, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW S10 (NA). THE CONTACT PURCHASED AFTERMARKET CHROME RIMS ONLINE. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE RIMS SEPARATED FROM THE TIRES AND SHATTERED INTO SEVERAL PIECES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHERE IT CURRENTLY REMAINS. THE VIN AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 63,000.
Electrical system, Aug 13, 2007
THERE IS A SERIOUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEM ON MANY BMW E46 MODELS (NEWER CARS). THE TAIL LIGHT HARNESS ON BOTH SIDES HAS WHAT SEEMS TO BE A FAULTY, INCOMPLETE, OR INSECURE GROUNDING WIRE AND THE RESULT IS THAT THE WIRE OVERHEATS AND CORRODES, AND IN SOME CASES ARCS, WHICH CAN IGNITE A FIRE. THE PROBLEM IS OFTEN IDENTIFIED BY INTERMITTENT OR PERSISTENT FAILURE OF THE REAR LIGHTS ON THE CAR AND/OR UNNECESSARY REAR LIGHT WARNINGS ON THE DASH. I HAVE PHOTOGRAPHS TO SUPPORT THIS CASE AND HAVE DONE FURTHER RESEARCH TO FIND COUNTLESS SIMILAR CASES. THE DAMAGE IS MOST OFTEN CHARACTERIZED BY CHARRED DISCOLORATION OF THE BROWN (GROUND) INSULATOR AND MELTING OF THE SURROUNDING PLASTICS WHICH RESULTS IN THE METAL CONNECTORS BECOMING LOOSE. THE REPAIR OF THE PROBLEM WOULD MOST LIKELY CONSIST OF AN UPGRADED REPLACEMENT OF THE WIRING HARNESS. FURTHER WORK INTO THE ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM MAY BE NECESSARY DEPENDING ON THE CAUSE OF THE FAULTY GROUND. *TR
Power train, Aug 1, 2007
MY 2003 BMW 330I HAS 85K MILES AND IS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION. RECENTLY, HOWEVER, A "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT CAME ON. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED A PROBLEM AND INFORMED ME THAT I NEEDED A NEW TORQUE CONVERTER BECAUSE THE GASKET WAS LEAKING, HOWEVER, THE CAR WAS DRIVING JUST FINE. THEY TOLD ME THAT IF I DIDN'T REPLACE IT NOW THEN DOWN THE ROAD THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION MIGHT FAIL AND NEED REPLACEMENT. I FEEL RIPPED OFF HAVING PAID $3,000 FOR A TORQUE CONVERTER ON A CAR THAT DROVE FINE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM THAT BMW IS AWARE OF, BUT THE COMPANY REFUSED TO HELP OUT WITH THE COST, STATING THAT THERE WERE TOO MANY MILES ON MY CAR. THE LIFE OF THE TRANSMISSION IS SUPPOSED TO BE WAY LONGER THAN 85K MILES. TOO BAD, BMW SAID. *JB
Electrical system, Jun 27, 2007, fire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS FOR BOTH TAIL LIGHTS HAVE SHORTENED OUT AND MELTED. SHE IS CONCERNED THAT THIS FAILURE COULD CAUSE HER VEHICLE TO CATCH FIRE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE AMONG THE 2001-2003 MODELS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 57,200.
Air bags, Seat belts, Apr 25, 2007, crash
MY 2003 BMW 325I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE DRIVER OF MY BMW REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE AT APPROX. 35 MPH. THERE WAS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO MY BMW. IN FACT, THE INSURANCE CO. IS CONSIDERING A TOTAL LOSS AS WE SPEAK. THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END EXCEEDS $18,000.00 TO INCLUDE SOME STRUCTURAL DAMAGE. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT NEITHER THE FRONT AIR BAGS OR THE SEAT RESTRAINT SYSTEM DEPLOYED. THE FOLKS AT THE REPAIR SHOP AND THE INSURANCE ADJUSTOR CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY. I BROUGHT MY COMPLAINT TO BMW OF NORTH AMERICA AND THEY SENT AN ENGINEER TO EXAMINE THE DAMAGE. HE FILED A REPORT WITH BMW AND THEY CALLED TO SAY "THE IMPACT DID NOT WARRANT DEPLOYMENT OF THE SAFETY SYSTEM". I STRONGLY QUESTION THIS DETERMINATION GIVEN THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. FURTHER, MY WIFE, THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE, SUSTAINED SOME INJURY , AND IS SEEKING TREATMENT AT THIS TIME. PLEASE HELP ME! IF THEY DETERMINE THE VEHICLE TO BE A TOTAL LOSS, THERE WILL NOT BE MUCH TIME TO HAVE AN INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE. *JB
Structure, Mar 24, 2007
THE BMW X5 HAS A DEFECT. THE TAILGATE STOPPERS ROUTINELY FAILED ON BOTH THE ELECTRO-MECHANICAL SOFT CLOSE AND THE NORMAL MECHANICAL. THESE STOPPERS FAILED, CAUSING ERRONEOUS TAILGATE OPEN WARNINGS TO APPEAR ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. ALSO, BECAUSE THE STOPPERS FAILED THERE WAS A CONSTANT RATTLE. BMW KNEW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM...AT LEAST THE LOCAL AGENTWAS QUITE AWARE OF THIS ROUTINE FAILURE.*AK ALSO, BMW WEBSITES LIST MANY OTHER OWNERS COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. HTTP://WWW.BIMMERFEST.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=85610&HIGHLIGHT=TAILGATE
Tires, Mar 2, 2007
ON MARCH 2ND 2007 AROUND 10:30AM I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 BMW M3 EAST BOUND ON INTERSTATE 40 FROM CHAPEL HILL NC TO RALEIGH NC. APPROACHING EXIT 292 MY REAR TIRE WHICH WAS A MICHELIN PILOT SPORT SIZE 255/35ZR RIPPED ON EACH SIDEWALL INNER AND OUTER. THE CENTER OF TIRE CAME COMPLETELY SEPARATED WHILE THE OUTER OF THE TIRE WAS STILL CONNECTED TO THE INNER AND OUTER OF THE REAR LEFT TIRE. FROM WHAT I CAN TELL THE TIRE SIMPLY SHREDDED ON THE INNER AND OUTER SIDEWALL CAUSING ME TO SWERVE, GAIN CONTROL OF CAR AND PULL OVER ON THE SHOULDER. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO PERFORMANCE BMW IN CHAPEL HILL. I AM EXPECTED THERE TO BE RIM DAMAGE AS WELL. AT THIS POINT AND TIME NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. BMW ADVISED ME THAT THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO LOOK AT THE CAR UNTIL MONDAY. I WILL KEEP ALL PAPERWORK. *JB
Air bags, Jan 30, 2007
WHILE DRIVING, THE AIR BAGS ON THE DRIVER SIDE DEPLOYED; ABOVE THE WINDOW AND ABOVE THE ARM REST. I DID NOT GO OVER ANY BUMPS OR HOLES. THERE WAS NOT AN ACCIDENT OR IMPACT NOR ANY HISTORY OF. NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON INDICATING A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. THE AIRBAGS SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING! MY LEFT ELBOW, LEFT ARM, AND LEFT EAR WERE INJURED. I PANICKED AND CROSSED OVER TO THE MEDIAN ON MY LEFT WITHOUT LOOKING FOR ONCOMING TRAFFIC; ALSO, THE AIRBAGS WERE OBSTRUCTING MY VIEW. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF, I GOT OUT OF MY CAR, AND RAN DOWN THE ACCESS ROAD ALONGSIDE THE HIGHWAY THINKING MY CAR WAS GOING TO EXPLODE. I CALLED ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE. THE TOWING COMPANY TOOK 1 HOUR AND 45 MINUTES. THE MAN WAS VERY RUDE AND UNWILLING TO TOW THE CAR. MY FRIEND AND I FOLLOWED THE TOW TRUCK TO THE BMW DEALERSHIP. THE TOWER REFUSED TO LET ME TAKE PICTURES OF MY CAR. I WAS ABLE TO TAKE PICTURES OF THE CAR THE NEXT DAY UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF A SERVICE ADVISOR. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT "THE AIR BAGS WERE NOT ON MY WARRANTY" AND "I WOULD HAVE TO GO THROUGH MY INSURANCE TO REPAIR THE CAR". WHEN I ASKED FOR A COURTESY CAR IN THE MEANTIME, THEY STATED "YOUR WARRANTY COVERS RENTAL CARS BUT WE DO NOT GIVE OUT CARS FOR THIS PROBLEM. YOU WILL HAVE TO GO THROUGH YOUR INSURANCE." I GOT A RENTAL CAR THROUGH MY INSURANCE. THE ADJUSTER WAS SENT TO INSPECT MY CAR. HE AND BMW TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS "SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE" ON THE LEFT UNDERSIDE OF THE CAR THAT CAUSED A PART OF THE CAR TO COME "LOOSE" AND TRIGGER THE SENSOR DEPLOYING THE AIR BAGS. BMW CLAIMS DAMAGE TO A PART OF THE CAR I COULD NOT TAKE PICTURES OF. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD THE ADJUSTER THAT THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED IN MY DRIVEWAY. BMW CORPORATE OFFICE WAS NOTIFIED. YET, THERE WAS NO SOLUTION. I REQUESTED THAT MY CAR BE TOWED TO THE NEXT CITY. THE CLAIM WAS CLOSED. THE CHARGES OF THE RENTAL CAR WERE TRANSFERRED TO ME. I ALSO HAVE TO PAY FOR THE DOCTOR VISITS. BMW STILL HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING TO CORRECT THE FAILURE!!! *NM
Steering, Jan 8, 2007
ON HOT, HUMID DAYS, THE STEERING GETS "STICKY". BY THAT I MEAN THAT TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL BECOMES DIFFICULT BECAUSE IT "STICKS" IN ONE SPOT. IT CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME. SMALL CORRECTIONS OF THE STEERING BECOME DIFFICULT. MANY TIMES, BECAUSE IT STICKS, YOU HAVE TO PUSH HARDER ON THE WHEEL TO MAKE IT TURN, WHICH, WHEN IT FINALLY "UNSTICKS", ENDS UP CAUSING TOO SHARP OF A TURN. I DID A SEARCH OF THE WEB USING "Z4 STICKY STEERING" AND FOUND THAT OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME PROBLEM. *JB
Power train, Dec 16, 2006
PLEASE REFER TO FR DOC 04-10644. MY PROBLEM CONCERNS THIS EXACT ISSUE WITH MY 2003 BMW X5, IE, DELAYED PARK TO DRIVE ENGAGEMENT ON COLD START. ON 11-11-06 I BACKED OUT OF MY DRIVE (I LIVE ON A CORNER LOT) AND IMMEDIATELY AM AT A STOP SIGN. I PULLED OUT, BUT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT FULLY ENGAGE IN DRIVE AND AS A RESULT I CAME WITHIN INCHES OF BEING SMASHED BY A TRUCK THAT WAS COMING DOWN THE ROAD I WAS ENTERING. IN THE DOCUMENT MENTIONED ABOVE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE DEFECT WAS NOT A SAFETY HAZARD. YOU WERE WRONG. IN THIS DOCUMENT BMW ARGUED THAT THEY HAD A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN SIB 24 07 03 TO CORRECT THIS SITUATION BY INSTALLING A NEW TRANSMISSION. UNFORTUNATELY, IN JULY '04 THEY REVISED THIS TSB TO REPROGRAM THE EGS MODULE (INCREASING THE PRESSURE IN THE TRANSMISSION SO IT TAKES LONGER TO LEAK DOWN) AND NOT TO PUT IN NEW TRANSMISSIONS. I HAVE HAD MY X5 REPROGRAMMED BY BMW AND IT DID NO GOOD. I HAD A BMW CUSTOMER SERVICE ADVISOR TELL ME THAT THE REPROGRAMMING WAS A PARTIAL FIX BUT DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. HE SAID IT WAS A MATTER OF MONEY FOR BMW. MY CAR IS STILL UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY. I BOUGHT IT USED. THE BMW REPRESENTATIVE, JEFF FITZ, THEN HAD THE NERVE TO TELL ME IF I HAD BOUGHT THE CAR NEW I WOULD HAVE A BETTER CHANCE OF GETTING A NEW TRANSMISSION. HE SAID I SHOULD THINK ABOUT LEARNING TO LIVE WITH THE PROBLEM SINCE HIS EXPERIENCE IS THAT THE NEW TRANSMISSIONS ARE NOT SATISFACTORY EITHER. I ASK THAT YOU REVIEW YOUR FINDINGS ON THE BASIS THAT BMW IS NOT CORRECTING THE SAFETY PROBLEM AS INDICATED IN FR DOC 04-10644. *JB
Tires, Nov 10, 2006
TIRE FAILURE--TOTAL DISINTEGRATION OF TOYO PROXES T1-R 97Y ZR 23545R17 PURCHASED ON 2/11/06. *NM
Electrical system, Sep 13, 2006
LTR FM (MA) CONCERNED ABOUT THE STALLING TENDENCES IN MODEL YEARS 2001-2004 BMW 325I AND 323I PASSENGER CARS. *TS THE STALLING PROBLEM WAS ELEMINATED BY INSTALLING AN UPDATE RELEASED ABOUT JULY 2004 BY BMW AG HEADQUARTERS IN MUNICH. AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY DOWNLOADED THE UPDATE FROM THE BMW-SIEMENS WEBSITE IN THE U.K. AND INSTALLED IT IN THE CONSUMER'S BMW. SINCE THE SOFTWARE HAS BEEN UPDATED THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY STALLED TWICE SINCE UPDATED, ONCE WHEN IN THE WRONG GEAR, AND ONCE WHEN THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS SET. *NM
Structure, Sep 1, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A TEMPERATURE SENSOR UNDER THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE FRONT BUMPER. WHEN PULLING INTO PARKING SPACES WITH A CONCRETE PARKING BLOCK, THE SENSOR WOULD COME IN CONTACT WITH THE CONCRETE BLOCK. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT THE BUMPER WAS TOO LOW TO THE GROUND PUTTING THE TEMPERATURE SENSOR AT RISK OF DAMAGE. UPDATED 10/4/2006 - *NM
Air bags, Jul 19, 2006, crash
MY WIFE WAS IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT ON 07/07/06. HER 2003 325I BMW WAS HIT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE BY A SUV THAT JUMPED OVER THE MEDIAN, TOTALING THE CAR. WE CONTACTED BMW OF NORTH AMERICA AND REPORTED THAT NONE OF THE AIR-BAGS DEPLOYED. WE ARE VERY CONCERNED. WE ALSO TO THIS DATE HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY INFORMATION FROM BMW. *NM